Rampage Jackson Has a Message: Ignore the Talk About Lack of Determination

No.1 contender and UFC 135 main event fighter Quinton “Rampage” Jackson has constantly dealt with questions about his focus and determination in relation to his training and fighting. Needless to say, this has made “Rampage” grumpy from time to time.

As recently as the UFC 135 press conference, which took place place in July, “Rampage” deflected critics and said that it “pisses him off” when people talk about how he shows a lack of determination. Well, it appears gears have shifted and Jackson is actively trying to prove his determination and focus haven’t strayed away from fighting.

In a video the fighter posted on YouTube.com, Jackson laid out a message to his fans advising not to listen to what others say about doubting his drive towards regaining the UFC light heavyweight title he lost in 2008.

“I just want all my fans to know, don’t worry about a thing. I got this,” Jackson said in the clip. “I’m training hard. This is the hardest I’ve trained in a long time. I’m taking it very, very serious. Don’t worry about things people are saying out there.

“Y’all are going to see the best ‘Rampage’ you’ve seen in a long time. I’m going to deliver on that.”

Jackson, who typically trains at the Wolf’s Lair gym in the United Kingdom, moved his camp to Denver in order to train for a shot at the 205-pound title held by the young and unpredictable Jon Jones. The setting for camp – which is the 30,000-square-foot Muscle Pharm training facility – not only plays the role of Jackson’s day-to-day office for work, but also his home. The former light heavyweight champ has spent his time living in an assigned room instead of the comforts of a five-star hotel.

The current residence gives Jackson all the bare necessities to live according to what’s best towards focusing on preparation for Jones. According to Jackson, it’s a stretch, even for him.

He’s roughing it in an effort to get that belt back.

“I’m up here in the Muscle Pharm training facility in Denver,” he said. “I’m stay at the gym. This is like roughing it for me, but I’m doing it.

“I want that belt back. That belt will be mine. It will be. I see it already. I’m very confident.”

When breaking down his UFC 135 opponent, “Rampage” takes a page out of Georges St-Pierre’s book and doesn’t seem very “impressed with his performance.” He recognizes Jones is a good fighter, but doesn’t feel he’s faced anyone that can truly test him.

Jon Jones and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC 128

Even Jones’ win over former UFC champion and Pride superstar Mauricio “Shogun” Rua isn’t all that impressive to Jackson. As a someone who knows fighting, “Rampage” feels the Rua that met Jones at UFC 128 wasn’t the same one that earned the title from Lyoto Machida at UFC 113, more so a battered champion coming off an injury.

The height, reach and unique arsenal that Jones owns are all things that Jackson is aware of, but they apparently don’t worry him to any extent.

Regardless, “Rampage” knows the UFC 135 main event will be a good match-up.

“Jon Jones is a good fighter, man, but the toughest person he ever fought (is) Vladimir Matushenko,” claimed Jackson. “But I could tell Vladimir wasn’t on his game that day. And ‘Shogun.’ Come on, Shogun just (came off of) a long injury, (hadn’t) fought for a while. That wasn’t the same ‘Shogun’ that won the belt, you know what I’m saying? Everybody knows that. If you know fighting, you know that.

“This guy has never been tested, never been hit. I ain’t worried about his height, his reach. I ain’t worried about none of that. I ain’t worried about his crazy spinning elbow move, everything. We broke this guy down. It’s going to be a good fight, no matter what.”

The message was loud and clear: Jackson doesn’t want you to believe he’s not determined to get the job done against Jones. The driving force behind him is the people he cares about; the people that have been there since the beginning.

Those people, according to Jackson, are the true “Rampage” fans.

“This is for my fans that (have stood) behind me since day one. Y’all the fans I care about.”

BAHAHAHA sure & I’m the #1 P4P fighter on the planet! Whatever dude, I’d take that bet in a heart beat! Jones by TKO/KO

wonggfan

You are aware that true MMA fans know that Rampage doesn’t have KO power. It is a common misunderstanding that Rampage has KO power (Fedor too). He is strong but his only true KO is the one against Chuck. And yes, everyone KOs the old Chuck.

How dare you question the great wonggfag…oops, wonggfan? He knows everything about everything. Or he is just an ‘asshat’ as you stated. I like your assessment better!

iRush–

First of all he Kod Chuck when Chuck was still good. Second of all He Kod Wandy with one punch but I guess your right that not real knockout power.

streetfightertoo

Is it me or does Rampage seem a little scared? Training like never before and even sleeping in the gym. Rampage will be thrown through the air, then wrapped up and beaten mercilessly. Jones FTW!!!

BlackDog2009

Yes it’s you. Since when does Rampage fear anyone? Even when Rampage was losing a fight, he kept coming. Rampage is the man, he’ll give Jones a reality check. I don’t hate on Jones, but the kid has been listening too much to all those that claim him invincible, you could tell with his demeanor. Rampage will change all that.

Props to Rampage for recognizing Vladimir Matyushenko as Jones’s real test rather than Rua, but he is wrong in his assessment about Jones. Jon is the real deal and is going to win this fight.

Unador

I’d like to believe that Rampage had no punching power, but I can’t see how that’s true. but….
The slam KO, was a slam. The Liddel KO was when Liddel was ‘lights out ready’
Wanderlie’s abilit to stay conscience is also questionable.And Rampage is not a good MMA fighter, so he spends all his time trying for the KO. In that respect, considering the amount of time he attempts to get the KO, he’s not as succesful as you would expect with someone with KO power.
As for always bringing it to the fight with no fear? BULLHOCKEY. He fought with fear against Evans, and Griffon kicked his will away for the belt.
Jones will be the victor. Rampage is too slow, too basic with his battle strategy, too confident in his own abilities that he executes poorly, and too secure in the knowledge that his camp has ‘broken down’ jones style.
Jones, like Anderson Silva, is here to stay.

devine22

Unador i also agree with you but still would love to see Rampage win this fight ! Just think Jones is to young an to early to own the belt just yet. An also thats the great thing about fighting!!!!!! THEY WILL ALWAYS HAVE THEIR DAY AN LOSE!!!!! NOBODY FROM HERE ON OUT WILL EVER GO UNDEFEATED!!!! MARK IT DOWN! EVERY DOG HAS HIS DAY

Unador

I don’t know if Jones has the mental fortitude to survive being champion. But I’m not sure if I want to see Jackson as the LHW champion again. His next fight would be Jackson vs Evans II. Probably.
And would likely make a good fight card, and something I’d like to see since Rashad has drastically improved with his new camp.
But, I’m anxious to see Evans vs Jones more. And they may have Evans fight Jones before Evans gets a title shot if Jackson wins.
But I’d still rather not see Jackson as champ again. If Rampage gets the belt, with a loss to Rashad already, and then Rashad gets the belt in a second victory over rampage, well… all of that kind of waters down the legitimacy of the LHW division doesn’t it?
How are you going to give Rampage the belt that lost to Rashad that was supposed to fight for the belt in the first place? Only to have Rampage lose the belt to Rashad in his second loss to Evans?
It just seems a little worse than silly to me for that kind of outcome. I think it would reflect poorly on the management of the UFC LHW division.

Bloodsalt

Gawd, I cant wait to see this repulsive thing get KTFOed. Going to LOVE laughing at his “heartfelt retirement mumble” when it finally comes.